Montclair State University, Rutgers University get grants for autism research

By DEENA YELLIN

staff writer |

The Record

A center for statewide efforts to research the causes and treatment of autism it is being established at Montclair State University, where Mary Pat Christie on Thursday announced $3.7 million in grants toward addressing the neurodevelopment disorders.

The grant money, from the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism, will be shared by MSU and Rutgers University.

“The grants will put New Jersey at the forefront of autism research,” said Christie, adding that the center to be established at MSU will give a unified voice for the evaluation and treatment of autism.

Autism spectrum disorders are complex neurodevelopment disorders with early childhood onset. The disorders, for which there currently are no cures and only limited treatment, generally have lifelong effects. The Garden State has among the highest autism rates in the nation, with an estimated one child in 49 diagnosed with the disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As the state’s first lady toured the Ben Samuels Children’s Center at the university in Little Falls, she oohed and ahhed over children in the inclusive preschool classrooms. At one point, as children clustered around her to sing her a song, she grinned and swayed in time with their song.

Christie joined Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd and Montclair University staff to announce a $1.5-million grant over five years to establish the Center of Excellence to coordinate all autism research, as well as a $2.2 million grant over five years to The Rutgers Institute for Human Genetics to focus on the genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Clinical research, public information

The Center will research and advance the understanding, prevention and treatment of autism. It will fund three program sites for clinical research aimed at improving the well being of people with autism, said officials. It also will serve as a translator of research, providing families with information on the unique needs of each of their affected children. As it does so, the expectation is that the line between research and application will be shortened.

Part of the Center’s function as the voice of autism in New Jersey will be to keep track of trends, research and developments, culled from international sources, as they relate to the diagnosis and treatment of autism. As the Center is developed, there will be resources available to the public, said Gerard Costa, director of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health at Montclair State University.

Christie, too, noted the potential for greater public understanding and more effective treatment of the disorder.

“I have been given a tremendous opportunity to build awareness” and “help break down barriers,” she said, naming several autism centers around the state that she has recently visited as part of her campaign.

The grant marks a new and coordinated approach to autism research, said Donna Leusner of the state Department of Health.

“The Center will be the hub for collecting the best practices and coordinating the research around the state,” she said. “Instead of each grantee doing their own research, it will be one coordinated effort to provide leadership and coordination for all the research.”

O’Dowd praised the Center as providing the leading, centralized voice on the state’s research and information effort to benefit families with special needs children.

More funding planned

An additional two grants will be announced by year’s end, bringing this year’s total to $8 million towards autism research, officials said. The remaining $4.3 million will be awarded through a grant process. That builds on earlier investments by the Governor’s Council, including a total of $9 million in recent years to boost early diagnosis of children with autism.

Bob Titus, director of public policy for the statewide advocacy group Autism New Jersey, cautioned that funding research is a key to grappling with the epidemic, but the need for services cannot be ignored.

“What’s being done here with research is very important, but it needs to be balanced with resources,” he said. “Those who are already diagnosed need to have an opportunity to gain skills and become a part of the community.”

Montclair State University, Rutgers University get grants for autism research

By DEENA YELLIN

staff writer |

The Record

A center for statewide efforts to research the causes and treatment of autism it is being established at Montclair State University, where Mary Pat Christie on Thursday announced $3.7 million in grants toward addressing the neurodevelopment disorders.

The grant money, from the Governor’s Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism, will be shared by MSU and Rutgers University.

“The grants will put New Jersey at the forefront of autism research,” said Christie, adding that the center to be established at MSU will give a unified voice for the evaluation and treatment of autism.

Autism spectrum disorders are complex neurodevelopment disorders with early childhood onset. The disorders, for which there currently are no cures and only limited treatment, generally have lifelong effects. The Garden State has among the highest autism rates in the nation, with an estimated one child in 49 diagnosed with the disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As the state’s first lady toured the Ben Samuels Children’s Center at the university in Little Falls, she oohed and ahhed over children in the inclusive preschool classrooms. At one point, as children clustered around her to sing her a song, she grinned and swayed in time with their song.

Christie joined Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary O’Dowd and Montclair University staff to announce a $1.5-million grant over five years to establish the Center of Excellence to coordinate all autism research, as well as a $2.2 million grant over five years to The Rutgers Institute for Human Genetics to focus on the genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Clinical research, public information

The Center will research and advance the understanding, prevention and treatment of autism. It will fund three program sites for clinical research aimed at improving the well being of people with autism, said officials. It also will serve as a translator of research, providing families with information on the unique needs of each of their affected children. As it does so, the expectation is that the line between research and application will be shortened.

Part of the Center’s function as the voice of autism in New Jersey will be to keep track of trends, research and developments, culled from international sources, as they relate to the diagnosis and treatment of autism. As the Center is developed, there will be resources available to the public, said Gerard Costa, director of the Center for Autism and Early Childhood Mental Health at Montclair State University.

Christie, too, noted the potential for greater public understanding and more effective treatment of the disorder.

“I have been given a tremendous opportunity to build awareness” and “help break down barriers,” she said, naming several autism centers around the state that she has recently visited as part of her campaign.

The grant marks a new and coordinated approach to autism research, said Donna Leusner of the state Department of Health.

“The Center will be the hub for collecting the best practices and coordinating the research around the state,” she said. “Instead of each grantee doing their own research, it will be one coordinated effort to provide leadership and coordination for all the research.”

O’Dowd praised the Center as providing the leading, centralized voice on the state’s research and information effort to benefit families with special needs children.

More funding planned

An additional two grants will be announced by year’s end, bringing this year’s total to $8 million towards autism research, officials said. The remaining $4.3 million will be awarded through a grant process. That builds on earlier investments by the Governor’s Council, including a total of $9 million in recent years to boost early diagnosis of children with autism.

Bob Titus, director of public policy for the statewide advocacy group Autism New Jersey, cautioned that funding research is a key to grappling with the epidemic, but the need for services cannot be ignored.

“What’s being done here with research is very important, but it needs to be balanced with resources,” he said. “Those who are already diagnosed need to have an opportunity to gain skills and become a part of the community.”